Titanium: Properties and Applications | Generated by AI
Titanium (symbol: Ti, atomic number: 22) is a strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant metallic element.
Key Properties
- High strength-to-weight ratio: As strong as steel but 45% lighter
- Exceptional corrosion resistance: Forms a protective oxide layer that withstands saltwater, chlorine, and many acids
- Biocompatible: Non-toxic and not rejected by the human body
- High melting point: 1,668°C (3,034°F)
Where It’s Found
- 9th most abundant element in Earth’s crust, but never pure in nature
- Always bound with other elements (mainly as titanium dioxide TiO₂ in minerals like rutile and ilmenite)
- Extracted through the complex and energy-intensive Kroll process
Major Uses
- Aerospace: Jet engines, airframes (where strength, heat resistance, and lightness are critical)
- Medical: Surgical implants, dental fixtures, prosthetics
- Military: Armor plating, missiles, submarines
- Consumer: High-end watches, jewelry, eyeglass frames, premium sports equipment
- Industrial: Chemical processing equipment, desalination plants
Why It Matters
Its unique combination of properties makes it irreplaceable for extreme-performance applications, though its high cost limits use to high-value products. Titanium dioxide is also the world’s brightest white pigment, used in paint, sunscreen, and toothpaste.